U.S. Bishops' Head Archbishop Coakley's 1st Presidential Address "The Church’s concern for neighbor and our concern here for immigrants is a response to the Lord’s command to love"
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) 2026 Spring Plenary Assembly is taking place in Orlando, Florida, running for three days from June 10 to June 12, 2026.
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley gave his first address as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Archbishop Coakley expresses gratitude for the trust placed in him and reflects on the important work of the Conference. Drawing on his episcopal motto duc in altum (“put out into the deep”), he calls on the bishops and the Church to move beyond comfort zones with courage and faith in response to the challenges of our time.
FULL TEXT - Presidential Address of Archbishop Paul S. Coakley
Your Excellency, Archbishop Caccia,
Bishop Flores,
Your Eminences,
Dear Brother Bishops,
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I begin my first address to you, my brother bishops, who elected me as President of this episcopal conference by repeating what Blessed John Paul the First is reported to have said to the Cardinals who elected him, “May God forgive you what you have done.” In all seriousness, I do wish to express my gratitude to all of you for the confidence you have placed in me. Since November, it has been a whirlwind of extra emails, letters, requests, and decisions. I never fully grasped the amount of work this body carries out until it suddenly appeared in my inbox. Nor did I adequately appreciate the invaluable contributions of Msgr. Fuller and his excellent staff in support of our work. It is good work. It is important work. It is necessary work, as can be seen in the many ways we, as a conference, have responded to the many challenges our world faces today.
I am especially pleased to recognize the impact of our special message on migration issued during our last plenary gathering under the wise guidance of my predecessor, Archbishop Broglio. That message demonstrated our united concern as pastors for the dignity of every person, especially our migrant brothers and sisters. The concern, the grief over how people are being treated expressed in our message remains as relevant now, six months later, as it did last November. As we said, “We recognize that nations have a responsibility to regulate their borders and establish a just and orderly immigration system for the sake of the common good. … The Church’s concern for neighbor and our concern here for immigrants is a response to the Lord’s command to love as He has loved us (John 13:34).” We continue to advocate for “meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures.” I am also grateful for our unity. Our unity as bishops of the United States; our unity with the Holy Father, Pope Leo, and our unity with all his predecessors since the founding of this nation. For 250 years, the bishops of this country have worked together, alongside priests, religious brothers and sisters, and so many faithful men and women as witnesses to Christ and to make known His love in so many concrete ways. We have done this through our parishes, of course, but also our schools, our hospitals, our charitable agencies performing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, including welcoming wave after wave of new arrivals to this land. Admittedly, we have not been always perfect in doing this, but overall, I would say our track record is very good!
In reflecting on the last six months, I have found myself returning many times to the words of the Lord that I chose as my episcopal motto: duc in altum. It is the verse from the Gospel according to St. Luke where the Lord says to Peter, “put out into the deep (Lk 5:4) and lower your nets for a catch”.
I often return to these words and find encouragement when facing a crossroads, a challenge, or a difficult decision. They are words of comfort that remind me to trust; to remember that this is the Lord’s Church, and He is guiding the ship. My task is to stay out of his way.
But these words of Jesus to put out into the deep are more than words of consolation – they are a command and a challenge. Peter is called to launch out boldly. The Church, therefore, and we too, as bishops, are commanded to put out into the deep water, to move beyond our comfort zones and the safe places where we can maintain our illusions of safety and control. Saint Ambrose considers this command, saying that the Church must launch into the deep, that is, into the profound truth of the Son of God. What mind can fully grasp this knowledge? What human intelligence can plumb its depths? Faith, faith in all its fullness, is the only thing that can embrace this knowledge. And from such faith, Ambrose writes, let the Church see the rising of the Son of God and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.1
Obeying this command is perhaps more necessary at this moment than ever. The Church’s witness to Christ, to the Good News of the knowledge of Jesus, is needed in every generation, but today, in an age of constant flux, of forced migration, polarization, disruptions, climatic and economic upheavals, artificial intelligence, and wars, in a time when so many are wondering what it even means to be a human person, to restore hope, in such a time as this, the truth of Christ must be proclaimed all the more confidently. Recall just over a year ago, when the white smoke appeared from the roof of the Sistine Chapel, and Pope Leo XIV emerged on the loggia of Saint Peter’s. What we felt was not simply pride that an American was elected. No, what we felt was hope. The same hope we felt when Francis emerged before him, and Benedict, Saint John Paul the Second, and the others. Hope that springs eternal because the one who steps out onto that balcony is the Vicar of Christ. Leo’s first words were Christ’s words – Peace be with you!
That peace, which is the heart of the truth of Christ, always brings hope. It is that same hope that this Conference, in union with the whole Church, must continue to offer.
What are some of the challenges to hope that need to be addressed? Where must hope be restored and how, as a Conference, can we help?
Certainly, first and foremost, by continuing to defend human dignity. The dignity of the human person continues to be threatened – primarily in the ways life itself has long been threatened – threats to the unborn, to the elderly, to the sick and suffering. Through the violence of war and injustice. Society tends to disregard and cast aside what it deems useless, but life, human life, can never be adequately valued based on it being useful or useless. Or a burden or unworthy of protection. To restore hope necessitates preaching exactly that – that life is a gift from God. Every life has value and dignity, and we cannot forfeit that dignity, even when it is besmirched by sin and wickedness. It comes from God. Human dignity is also threatened by the scourge of racism, by abuse, disdain, and contempt – especially towards the poor, the stranger, the condemned and the outcast. The words of Christ that whatever we do to the least among us, we do to him,2 not only remind us of our duty as Christians, but of the dignity and value the Lord has instilled in every person created in His image.3 Reminding ourselves of this truth will renew hope in the hardest of hearts. Another area in which we can promote hope is in our willingness and efforts to work with others – both in and outside of the halls of government – to reduce polarization. Together we are working on ways to promote faithful citizenship – through dialogue, deeper realization of who is our neighbor, and by placing faith before politics – a faith that inspires hope, respect, and the pursuit of the common good. This is not always easy. It is rarely so. Since my cordial visit to the White House last January, which I am grateful to have made, we recognize the need for further progress. Nevertheless, we must stay in the conversation. I was encouraged by these words in the Holy Father’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, “we must not lose hope. I invite everyone to conceive of ways of cooperating and of more effective international institutions capable of safeguarding the global common good without compromising the legitimate diversity of peoples and nations.”
As our Holy Father has said in so many contexts and in so many ways, “Now is the time for dialogue and building bridges.”5 Polarization within our country, and even within our Church, is a scandal that can only be overcome through encounter, through the cultivation of interpersonal relationships and conversations between those who may disagree. We must never give up on those who are different or see things differently. We must continue to proclaim the truth of Christ, and the dignity given to each person by the Lord. Perhaps one way we can do this is to embrace the challenge of performing the 250 works of mercy proposed by our Committee on Religious Liberty marking our nation’s 250th anniversary. That initiative coupled with the proposal for 250 hours of Eucharistic adoration can help lower the temperature and help us listen more attentively to the voice of the Lord who comes to us so often in the tiny whispering breeze.
We can see such progress within our own encounters with each other, brothers, during these plenary assemblies, in our regional and fraternal dialogues. We can also see the fruits of similar encounters, whether in our own pastoral counsels or in synodal gatherings. We need to foster these encounters, these opportunities for listening, dialogue, and discernment, to foster the hope that comes from Christ.
Although there are many other ways we can help restore hope to a world so desperately in need of it, I wish to mention just one more – and that is reaching out to all those who are hungry to hear the words of hope that come from the Lord. This year we saw record numbers enter the Church, and this, after last year’s record numbers.
This is a great sign of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is also a further example of how we need to put out into the deep – proclaiming the risen Son of God and sharing the Gospel with others. Our current Mission Directive, to reach out to the disaffiliated and the unaffiliated, remains a major task in helping to restore hope. We know that it is Christ that draws people to himself, and we need to continue to be His voice as well as his eyes, ears and heart through humility, truth, and practical charity.
My brothers, we must constantly renew the message of the Prophet Jeremiah to those in exile: For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—says the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, to give you a future of hope. 6
It is with a grateful heart that we hear of more people coming to the Church and finding that hope. At the same time, our hearts are saddened when we hear of others walking away. This world, fallen, distorted, confused, as it is, is still yearning for the kingdom. As Pope Leo so simply and beautifully wrote in his encyclical, “Christians serve the good and are sustained by a theological hope that gives reality both meaning and direction.”7 I would like to conclude by once more thanking you, brothers, along with our priests, deacons, religious, and laity for all your tireless efforts and unflagging devotion in putting out into the deep, bringing hope to so many through facilitating a life-giving encounter with Christ.
As we prepare to consecrate our country to the Sacred Heart in celebration of the 250th anniversary of our founding as a nation, I am reminded how deep, unfathomable, and profound is the love that lives in that heart, and how it embraces the entire world. It excludes no one. Can there be a greater message of hope? Can a greater gift of hope be offered?
It is the love flowing from the Sacred Heart of Jesus that feeds our hope. And it is a hope that brings peace, returning us to the words of Jesus – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.8
I know that we have much work to do before we rest, but we are comforted by two things – we are in this vineyard working together, and, in the end, it is the Lord who will accomplish it all. Let me finish with a prayer of our Holy Father, “with the same faith as Mary, let us become ‘weavers of hope’ in our world, sharing who we are and what we have, so that the presence of Jesus may grow among us and his Kingdom take shape.”9 Amen.
Thank you.
I begin my first address to you, my brother bishops, who elected me as President of this episcopal conference by repeating what Blessed John Paul the First is reported to have said to the Cardinals who elected him, “May God forgive you what you have done.” In all seriousness, I do wish to express my gratitude to all of you for the confidence you have placed in me. Since November, it has been a whirlwind of extra emails, letters, requests, and decisions. I never fully grasped the amount of work this body carries out until it suddenly appeared in my inbox. Nor did I adequately appreciate the invaluable contributions of Msgr. Fuller and his excellent staff in support of our work. It is good work. It is important work. It is necessary work, as can be seen in the many ways we, as a conference, have responded to the many challenges our world faces today.
I am especially pleased to recognize the impact of our special message on migration issued during our last plenary gathering under the wise guidance of my predecessor, Archbishop Broglio. That message demonstrated our united concern as pastors for the dignity of every person, especially our migrant brothers and sisters. The concern, the grief over how people are being treated expressed in our message remains as relevant now, six months later, as it did last November. As we said, “We recognize that nations have a responsibility to regulate their borders and establish a just and orderly immigration system for the sake of the common good. … The Church’s concern for neighbor and our concern here for immigrants is a response to the Lord’s command to love as He has loved us (John 13:34).” We continue to advocate for “meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures.” I am also grateful for our unity. Our unity as bishops of the United States; our unity with the Holy Father, Pope Leo, and our unity with all his predecessors since the founding of this nation. For 250 years, the bishops of this country have worked together, alongside priests, religious brothers and sisters, and so many faithful men and women as witnesses to Christ and to make known His love in so many concrete ways. We have done this through our parishes, of course, but also our schools, our hospitals, our charitable agencies performing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, including welcoming wave after wave of new arrivals to this land. Admittedly, we have not been always perfect in doing this, but overall, I would say our track record is very good!
In reflecting on the last six months, I have found myself returning many times to the words of the Lord that I chose as my episcopal motto: duc in altum. It is the verse from the Gospel according to St. Luke where the Lord says to Peter, “put out into the deep (Lk 5:4) and lower your nets for a catch”.
I often return to these words and find encouragement when facing a crossroads, a challenge, or a difficult decision. They are words of comfort that remind me to trust; to remember that this is the Lord’s Church, and He is guiding the ship. My task is to stay out of his way.
But these words of Jesus to put out into the deep are more than words of consolation – they are a command and a challenge. Peter is called to launch out boldly. The Church, therefore, and we too, as bishops, are commanded to put out into the deep water, to move beyond our comfort zones and the safe places where we can maintain our illusions of safety and control. Saint Ambrose considers this command, saying that the Church must launch into the deep, that is, into the profound truth of the Son of God. What mind can fully grasp this knowledge? What human intelligence can plumb its depths? Faith, faith in all its fullness, is the only thing that can embrace this knowledge. And from such faith, Ambrose writes, let the Church see the rising of the Son of God and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.1
Obeying this command is perhaps more necessary at this moment than ever. The Church’s witness to Christ, to the Good News of the knowledge of Jesus, is needed in every generation, but today, in an age of constant flux, of forced migration, polarization, disruptions, climatic and economic upheavals, artificial intelligence, and wars, in a time when so many are wondering what it even means to be a human person, to restore hope, in such a time as this, the truth of Christ must be proclaimed all the more confidently. Recall just over a year ago, when the white smoke appeared from the roof of the Sistine Chapel, and Pope Leo XIV emerged on the loggia of Saint Peter’s. What we felt was not simply pride that an American was elected. No, what we felt was hope. The same hope we felt when Francis emerged before him, and Benedict, Saint John Paul the Second, and the others. Hope that springs eternal because the one who steps out onto that balcony is the Vicar of Christ. Leo’s first words were Christ’s words – Peace be with you!
That peace, which is the heart of the truth of Christ, always brings hope. It is that same hope that this Conference, in union with the whole Church, must continue to offer.
What are some of the challenges to hope that need to be addressed? Where must hope be restored and how, as a Conference, can we help?
Certainly, first and foremost, by continuing to defend human dignity. The dignity of the human person continues to be threatened – primarily in the ways life itself has long been threatened – threats to the unborn, to the elderly, to the sick and suffering. Through the violence of war and injustice. Society tends to disregard and cast aside what it deems useless, but life, human life, can never be adequately valued based on it being useful or useless. Or a burden or unworthy of protection. To restore hope necessitates preaching exactly that – that life is a gift from God. Every life has value and dignity, and we cannot forfeit that dignity, even when it is besmirched by sin and wickedness. It comes from God. Human dignity is also threatened by the scourge of racism, by abuse, disdain, and contempt – especially towards the poor, the stranger, the condemned and the outcast. The words of Christ that whatever we do to the least among us, we do to him,2 not only remind us of our duty as Christians, but of the dignity and value the Lord has instilled in every person created in His image.3 Reminding ourselves of this truth will renew hope in the hardest of hearts. Another area in which we can promote hope is in our willingness and efforts to work with others – both in and outside of the halls of government – to reduce polarization. Together we are working on ways to promote faithful citizenship – through dialogue, deeper realization of who is our neighbor, and by placing faith before politics – a faith that inspires hope, respect, and the pursuit of the common good. This is not always easy. It is rarely so. Since my cordial visit to the White House last January, which I am grateful to have made, we recognize the need for further progress. Nevertheless, we must stay in the conversation. I was encouraged by these words in the Holy Father’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, “we must not lose hope. I invite everyone to conceive of ways of cooperating and of more effective international institutions capable of safeguarding the global common good without compromising the legitimate diversity of peoples and nations.”
As our Holy Father has said in so many contexts and in so many ways, “Now is the time for dialogue and building bridges.”5 Polarization within our country, and even within our Church, is a scandal that can only be overcome through encounter, through the cultivation of interpersonal relationships and conversations between those who may disagree. We must never give up on those who are different or see things differently. We must continue to proclaim the truth of Christ, and the dignity given to each person by the Lord. Perhaps one way we can do this is to embrace the challenge of performing the 250 works of mercy proposed by our Committee on Religious Liberty marking our nation’s 250th anniversary. That initiative coupled with the proposal for 250 hours of Eucharistic adoration can help lower the temperature and help us listen more attentively to the voice of the Lord who comes to us so often in the tiny whispering breeze.
We can see such progress within our own encounters with each other, brothers, during these plenary assemblies, in our regional and fraternal dialogues. We can also see the fruits of similar encounters, whether in our own pastoral counsels or in synodal gatherings. We need to foster these encounters, these opportunities for listening, dialogue, and discernment, to foster the hope that comes from Christ.
Although there are many other ways we can help restore hope to a world so desperately in need of it, I wish to mention just one more – and that is reaching out to all those who are hungry to hear the words of hope that come from the Lord. This year we saw record numbers enter the Church, and this, after last year’s record numbers.
This is a great sign of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is also a further example of how we need to put out into the deep – proclaiming the risen Son of God and sharing the Gospel with others. Our current Mission Directive, to reach out to the disaffiliated and the unaffiliated, remains a major task in helping to restore hope. We know that it is Christ that draws people to himself, and we need to continue to be His voice as well as his eyes, ears and heart through humility, truth, and practical charity.
My brothers, we must constantly renew the message of the Prophet Jeremiah to those in exile: For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—says the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, to give you a future of hope. 6
It is with a grateful heart that we hear of more people coming to the Church and finding that hope. At the same time, our hearts are saddened when we hear of others walking away. This world, fallen, distorted, confused, as it is, is still yearning for the kingdom. As Pope Leo so simply and beautifully wrote in his encyclical, “Christians serve the good and are sustained by a theological hope that gives reality both meaning and direction.”7 I would like to conclude by once more thanking you, brothers, along with our priests, deacons, religious, and laity for all your tireless efforts and unflagging devotion in putting out into the deep, bringing hope to so many through facilitating a life-giving encounter with Christ.
As we prepare to consecrate our country to the Sacred Heart in celebration of the 250th anniversary of our founding as a nation, I am reminded how deep, unfathomable, and profound is the love that lives in that heart, and how it embraces the entire world. It excludes no one. Can there be a greater message of hope? Can a greater gift of hope be offered?
It is the love flowing from the Sacred Heart of Jesus that feeds our hope. And it is a hope that brings peace, returning us to the words of Jesus – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.8
I know that we have much work to do before we rest, but we are comforted by two things – we are in this vineyard working together, and, in the end, it is the Lord who will accomplish it all. Let me finish with a prayer of our Holy Father, “with the same faith as Mary, let us become ‘weavers of hope’ in our world, sharing who we are and what we have, so that the presence of Jesus may grow among us and his Kingdom take shape.”9 Amen.
Thank you.
Footnotes:
1 Ambrose, Commentary on the Gospel of Saint Luke, IV;71.
2 Matthew 25:40
3 Genesis 1:27
4 Magnifica humanitas, no. 64.
5 Address to Representative of Other Churches and Ecclesial Communities
and Oher Religions (May 19, 2025).
6 Jeremiah 29:11
7 Magnifica humanitas, no. 211.
8 John 14:27
9 Magnifica humanitas, no. 245.
Source: https://www.usccb.org/resources/june-plenary-presidential-address
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